Wire stretcher



' July 26, 1932. H. c. N ELL 1,869,113

WIRE STRETCHER Filea March 29, 1929 inventor H.C.N0ell z Gttorneg Patented July 2 6, 1932 UNITED STATES HARRY C. NOELL, OF WEEPING WATER, NEBRASKA WIRE STRETCHER Application filed March 29, 1929. Serial No. 350,968.

The present invention relates to improvements in wire stretchers, and has for an object to provide an improved stretching device particularly for fence wire, whereby the wire may be stretched across the posts and held in the stretched and taut condition. while the fastening means is being secured.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved wire stretcher which will be applicable to fence posts or other supports at hand, and which will include clamp means for securing the device to the fence wire, whereby the wire may be drawn taut.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 5 vide an improved assembly of stretching reel,

ratchet device and reel operating member combined in a compact and strong arrangement with access to all of the parts. i A still further object of the invention lies in providing an improved device having the above described purposes in which simplicity of construction prevails, and in which the manufacture is economical.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claim appended hereto.

In the drawing, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, 7

Figure 1 is a side View of the improved wire stretcher shown as applied in an operative position to a fragment of a fence post and a portion of the fence wire.

Figure 2 is an edge view of the stretcher, and

Figure 3 is a top plan view with the fence post shown in section.

Referring more particularly to the drawing 10 designates a fence post, 11 the fence wire and 12 a staple or other fastening means for securing the wire to the post 10.

In accordance with theinvention a base 46 plate 13 is provided adapted to beplaced against one side of the fence post 10 and having any appropriate fastening means whereby the plate may be detachably secured in place. For instance, the plate may have at one side an eye 14 and at the opposite side a clamp,

hook 15, there being a chain 16 carried by the eye 14 for embracing the fence post 10 and detachably engaging the hook 15.

The plate 13 carries the end frames 17 and 18 and the intermediate frame or bracket 19. These brackets are preferably of A-frame construction, as shown in Figure 1, for purposes of adding strength and lightness to the structure, and for merging their outer ends together in appropriate bearings, the bearings being alined' and wherein is journaled a cross snaft 20 having a hand crank 21 affixed to one end thereof, as for instance beyond thebracket 17, whereby the shaft 20 may be rotated. It will be apparent that any other appropriate means may be supplied for turning the shaft 20.

Between the brackets 18 and 19 a reel 22 is disposed and mounted fixedly upon the shaft 20 so as to turn when the shaft is rotated. One end of a chain 23 is affixed to the reel and the other end of the chain to a wire clamp. y

Between the brackets 17 and 19 is disposed a ratchet wheel 24 also affixed to the shaft 20 and rotated therewith. A pawl 27 is disposed so as to cooperate with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 24, which teeth are inclined in the direction indicated in Figure 1. The ratchet wheel is pivoted on the pin 25, which is disposed in the pair of perforated lugs 26 extending forwardly from the brackets 17 and 19. These lugs are preferably integral with the brackets. A tail piece is carried by the pawl 27 and projects outwardly free from the lugs, so as to be in a position for convenient operation in lifting the pawl 27 out of the ratchet teeth 24.

The outer end of the chain 23 is secured to a hook 28, which is attached to the wire which is preferably composed of the toothed pivoted eccentric jaw 29 cooperating with the curved jaw or rim portion 30. V A tail piece 31 is useful for rotating the eccentric jaw 29 about the pivot 32 so as to bind and release the fence wire 11.

In theoperation of the device, the stretcher is attached to the fence post 10 as indicated in Figure 1, while the wire clamp is attached to the fence wire 11 as also illustrated in this ice figure. It will be understood that a chain 23 is unwound to a considerable extent from the reel 20, the wire clamp being placed at quite a distance from the device.

5 The operator now rotates the hand crank 21 in a clockwise direction as viewed from Figure 1, whereby to wind up the chain or other flexible connection upon the reel 22, thereby drawing the clamp and the attached fence wire toward the post 10. In other words the wire is drawn taut and stretched. The ratchet 27 will slip over the teeth 24 of the ratchet during this winding operation, but as soon as the wire is drawn sufficiently taut, the handle 21 may be released, while the pawl cooperating with the ratchet wheel 24 will prevent the unwinding of the chain 23 and will thus avoid the slackening of the fence wire 11. lVhile the fence wire 20. is thus held by the ratchet device in the stretched condition, the same operator who actuated the hand crank 21 may proceed to staple the stretched wire to the fence post, it being understood that a great length of 25 wire passing over several fence posts may be stretched by this device and by the operation of only one person.

I do not wish to be restricted to the size, form and proportions of the various parts,-

39 and obviously changes could be made in the construction herein described without departing from the spirit of the invention, it being only necessary that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is A wire stretcher comprising a base plate adapted to be seated against a post, a chain ISQCUI'GCl at one end to one edge portion of the plate and the plate having a hook for adjust- 40 ably receiving the opposite end of the chain for holding the latter around the post, said base plate having three spaced apart outstanding bracket arms providing two spaces between the arms, a cross shaft carried 5, through the outer ends of said arms, a drum mounted on the cross shaft between adjacent arms in one of the spaces, a chain carried by the drum adapted for clamping engagement with a wire, a ratchet wheel mounted on the 59 shaft in the other space between the bracket arms adjacent thereto, a handle on the outer end of the shaft, the bracket arms at opposite sides of the ratchet wheel having registering extensions projecting beyond the arms, and a locking pawl pivotally mounted in said extensions for cooperation with the ratchet wheel to lock the shaft and drum in adjusted position.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my 5 signature.

HARRY C. N OELL. 

